Hydropneumatic pump



May-l3, 1941.

1.. R. CHAMBERS HYDROPNEUMATIC PUMP Fi-led March 12, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN VEN T01 ,4 0/01? km/51%;

L. R. CHAMBERS HYDROPNEUMAT I C PUMP Filed March 12, 1940 May 13, 1941.

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

6v Z BY! 7%,

AT RNEK' Patented May 13, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT orrlce HYDROPNEUMATIC PUMP Lloyd R. Chambers, Greer, S. C. ApplicationMaroh 12, 1940, Serial No. 323,597

6 Claims. (01. 103-248) I This invention relates to hydropneumatic pumps and it consists in the constructions, arrangements and combinations herein described and claimed.

The present invention relates to a pump in which compressed air isemployed for elevating water without the use of pistons or complicated valve mechanism, making the pump susceptible to use with minimum wear with consequent reduction in maintenance costs.

It is a particular object of the invention to provide a pump in which the air inlet and exhaust valves are mounted upon a plate mounting which may be removed and a new assembly replaced in a pump unit, as a unitary assembly, thus allowing repair to a pump at its place of installation or use.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a novel construction of cooperable air inlet valve, exhaust valve and float trip means for the valves, whereby an automatic operation of the pump will be effected.

Additional objects, advantages and features of invention will be apparent from the following description and accompanying drawings, wherein Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view of the pump with the parts in position to elevate water. Figure 2 is a similar view showinganother portion of the pump mechanism.

Figure 3 is a reduced top plan view of the pump.

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the pump illustrating the position of the parts shown in Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a sectional View on the line 5-5 of Figure 4.

Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view illustrating the position of theparts shown in Figure 2. s

Figure 7 is a similar view illustrating an intermediate position of the parts illustrated in Figures 1 and 2. I

Figure 8 is a fragmentary detail of the valve trip means.

Figure 9 is a detail perspective of the trip lever forthevalves. I In carrying out my'invention I provide a substantially cylindrical casing H], the diameter and length of which will vary according tothe capacity of thepump. The upper end of the casing III is closed by a head plate H and the lower end thereof is closed by a bottom plate l2, the latter having any conventionaliorm of foot valve 13, functioning to admit water intothe closed tures of the studs 28.

casing ID, as is customary in pumps of this character.

Axially of the head plate H a water discharge pipe [4 is secured, in the present instance being screw-threaded into a boss I5, although other means may be employed. The length of the pipe I4 is such that it clears the lower plate l2 to permit free passage of water within and upwardly through the tube, as will be explained hereinafter.

Freely reciprocable upon the pipe l4 there is a float l6 upon the upper end of which there is provided an annular flange H, the purpose of which will be apparent as the description proceeds. The bore I8 through the float is of such diameter as to receive a trip rod [9 in addition to the pipe [5, the rod I9 having at its lower end an eyelet encircling the pipe, and the upper end of the rod has a similar eyelet 2|, but in addition there is an arm 22 extended at right angles to engage an eyelet 23 of a trip lever 24 as clearly shown in Figures 4, 5, 6, '7 and 8. The float is retained upon the pipe M by a nut 25 threadedly engaged upon the lower extremity of the pipe. In addition to serving as a retaining means, adjustment of the nut 25 will serve as an adjustable stop for limiting downward movement of the float.

The rod [9 is of a length less than the upward and downward movements of the float, which is necessary to provide an operative relation between the float and tripping mechanism of the valves.

The head plate ll is provided with an opening 26 closed by an assembly and valve mounting plate 21, the plate 21 being suitably bolted to the plate II to effect an airtight connection. The plate 21 is shown upon the upper side of the head plate, but obviously the plate 21 may be mounted upon the underside of the head plate,

in which event the opening 26 will be omitted.

A pair of studs 28 are provided, one end of which is threadedly engaged in suitably spaced bores 29 formed in the assembly plate 21, the studs extending downwardly into the casing l0. Each stud apertured adjacent its lower end, the apertures being aligned to receive respective pintles of the trip lever 24.

As clearly shown in Figure 9, the body 3 of the lever 24 is substantially rectangular in shape, and is of a width to be swingably mounted between the studs 28, and to this aim, the body 3! has pintles 30 complemental to respective aper- The body 3| also has pintles 32 and. 33 spaced forwardly of the pintle for connection respectively with a rod 34 of an exhaust valve 35 and a rod 36 of an air inlet valve 31. A yoke 38 is integrally formed with the body 3|, in the present instance being shown as formed from wire. The wire is bent intermediate its length to provide a bight portion 39 providing parallel arms 49 and a pair of legs 4|, the latter being fixed t0 the body 3| by welding or otherwise. The pipe l4 passes between the arms, and the arm 22 is extended through the eyelet 23. The arms 43 lie in a plane above, the legs 4| and this is accomplished by giving the wire a bend as at 42. medially of the bight portion, being downwardly extended, and slightly in advance of the bend 42 a transverse bar 44 is formed connecting the arms 40. The eyelet 23 is provided upon the underside of the bar, of a size corresponding to that of the loop 43 so that a uniform contact may be had with the flange ll of the float, after initial movement of the trip lever. From the foregoing it will be seen that reciprocatingmovements of the rod |9 will produce a swinging movement of the lever 24. and reciprocating movement of the valves 35 and 31.

The exhaust valve 35 in the present instance is shown as a piston valve having a smooth fiat upper head 45 adapted to seat against a raised boss 46 of the outlet port 41. A vent pipe 48 is connected to the port 41 and exhausts air to the atmosphere upon opening of the. valve. The rod 34 has a slot 49 for receiving the pintle 32 of a trip lever 24, thereby providing a lost motion action to the valve 35, which is essential to the operation of the pump, as will be explained hereinafter. A suitable number of downwardly extended pins 50 positioned circumferentially of the port 41 function to guide the valve to its seat.

The air inlet valve 31 is of the poppet type as shown, reciprocable into and from a seat 5| formed in the housing 52, the latter being thread.- edly engaged in a port 53 of the head, plate 21'. An air pipe 54 opens upon the port 53, air being supplied to the pipe from any suitable source, not shown.

Obviously, some means must be provided for maintaining the valves 35 and 31 in either a closed or open position and this is accomplished by the provision of a spring tensioned swinging lever 54. The lever 54 is hinged to a lu 55 and is so positioned as to extend downwardly between the legs 4| of the trip lever, The free end of the lever 54 is bifurcated and within the bifurcation there is mounted a roller 56. The body 3| is formed with a triangularly shaped cam 51, at its forward end, cooperable with the roller 53. A helical spring 58 is fixed between the lever 54 and the plate 2'! tending to draw the roller into engagement with the cam. It should be noted that the apex of the cam is presented into engagement with the roller, so that, the roller will travel the inclined faces of the cam during swing ing movements of the trip lever.

The operation It is assumed that my pump is installed in a well from which water is to be elevated, and that the casing i9 is full of water, with the float fully raised. Movement of the float to such position caused engagement between the flange I! and the eyelets 23 and 43 moving the trip lever 24 upwardly to the position shown in Figures 1, 4 and 5. The upward movement of the lever moved the exhaust valve 35 into closed position and A loop 43 is formed moved the air inlet valve 31 from its seat 5| admitting air into the cylinder I0. It should also be noted that the lower cam face 51a contacts the roller 56 and maintained in such relation by virtue of the spring 58. The valves and associated mechanism will be retained in this position until released by action of the float. The pressure of air on the water within the tank forces water upwardly through the pipe l4 and thecheck: valve 60 to the-point of use or storage, as. desired.

As the level of water is lowered, the float will be lowered correspondingly until the float engages the eyelet 20 of the trip rod I9. Further descent of the float will then exert a downward pull. uponv the rod drawing the trip lever 24 downwardly as shown in Figure 7 which is an intermediate or dead center position of the operation, with the apex of the cam 51 contacting the roller. It should be noted that the exhaust valve 35. has not been unseated due to pressure of air thereagainst and the movement of the trip lever 2.4; has not as yet exerted a pull on the rod of the lever, the pintle 32 having moved approximately midway of the slot 49.

At this stage of the. operation the rod 36 of the a r: valve 37 has been drawn downwardly to a point. where it is just about to engage the valve seat 5;|. The final downward movement of the float exerts a further pull on the rod l3, closing the air valve 31, and at this stage the pintle 32 will be moved: to the lower limit of the slot 49 thereby drawing the; exhaust valve 35 from its seat; venting the remaining air from the casing, as shown in Figures 2 and 6. In this position of the parts the roller 58 contacts the upper face 5'! of the cam 51 and are, held thus until the float l6 rises: to engage the trip lever 24. It will, be understood that. as soon as the exhaust valve 35, is opened water will again fill the casing to raise the float to, move the trip lever 24, closing the exhaust valve 35 and opening the inlet valve 31, when the, operation is. repeated.

While I have. specifically shown and described my-invention, this, is, by way of illustration only, and I;consider asmy own all such modifications in. structure as, fairly fall within the scope of the appended. claims.

I claim:

1. A pump of the character described comprising a casing having a water intake at its lower end, a head closing the upper end of the casing having a valved water outlet, a. water discharge pipe depending from said outlet, air inlet and air exhaust ports formed in said head, a valve cooperable with each of said ports, a reciprocable float, a rod carried by the pipe having a stop at its lower end in the path of movement of the float, said rod being of a length less, than the movement of the float, a trip lever connected with the valves of said air inlet and air exhaust valve, said trip lever having operative connection with the trip rod and extended into the path of movement of the float, and releasable detent means associated with said trip lever for controlling movement of said valves.

2. The structure of claim 1 in which said exhaust valve has a. lost motion connection with said trip lever.

3'. A pump of the character described comprising a casinghavlnga water intake at its lower end, a head closing the upper end of the casing having a valved water outlet, a water discharge pipe depending from said outlet, air inlet and air exhaust ports formed in said head, a; valve Eooperabl with each of said ports, a float reciprocable on said water discharge pipe, a rod carried by the pipe having a stop at its lower end in the path of movement of the float, a trip lever connected with the valves of said air inlet and air exhaust valves, said trip lever having operative connection with the trip rod and extended into the path of movement of the float, releasable detent means associated with said trip lever for controlling movement of said valves, and said exhaust valve having a lost motion connection with said trip lever.

4. A pump of the character described comprising a casing having a water intake at its lower end, a head closing the upper end of the casing having a valved Water outlet, a Water discharge pipe depending from said outlet, air inlet and air exhaust ports formed in said head, a valve cooperable with each of said ports, a float reciprocable on said water discharge pipe, a rod carried by the pipe having a stop at its lower end in the path of movement of the float, said rod being of a length less than the movement of the float, an extension on the upper end of the rod, a trip lever connected with the valves of said air inlet and air exhaust valves, said trip lever having operative connection with the extension of the rod, detent means associated with said valves for controlling movements thereof, and a lost motion connection between said trip lever and said exhaust valve.

5. A pump of the character described comprising a casing having a water intake at its lower end, a head closing the upper end of the casing having a valved water outlet, a water discharge pipe depending from said outlet, air inlet and air exhaust ports formed in said head, a valve cooperable with each of said ports, a float reciprocable on said water discharge pipe, a rod carried by the pipe having a stop at its lower end in the path of movement of the float, said rod being of a length less than the movement or" the float, an extension on the upper end of the rod, a pair of studs carried by the casing head, a trip lever pivotally mounted between the studs, said lever having a pair of lateral pintles, one of said pintles having connection with the air inlet valve, the valve of the exhaust port having a slotted rod for reception of the other pintle, said trip lever having a triangularly shaped cam at its forward end, a swinging stud carried by the casing head and having a cam roller complemental to said cam, spring means urging the roller into engagement with the cam, and a yoke member carried by said trip lever and having operative connection with the extension of the rod, said yoke being positioned in the path of upward movement of the float.

6. The structure of claim 5 in which the yoke embraces the water discharge pipe and includes an eyelet for reception of the extension of the rod.

LLOYD R. CHAMBERS. 

